Sports Betting Could Bring a Shot in the Arm to Racetracks

Lawmakers get together beginning Monday for a regular session. One bill they will discuss is a plan to legalize sports betting in Louisiana.

The U-S Supreme Court could soon issue a ruling that legalizes sports betting across the country. New Roads Representative Major Thibaut says several other states are preparing to allow sports betting and he believes Louisiana should be prepared to regulate it and that would bring in money to our state

Thibaut says thousands of Louisiana sports fans already gamble on the games. He says if the Supreme Court rules in favor of New Jersey and other states, it makes sense to give the Louisiana Gaming Control Board the power to regulate sports betting.

Under the Thibaut proposal, sports betting parlors would be allowed at the state’s four horse racing tracks in Bossier City, New Orleans, Vinton and Opelousas. But Thibaut says voters would have to approve the measure before it could happen.

The idea of legalized sports betting has been in the courts for more than five years. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling before the end of this month.